The crew at Garrang Wilam are showing that they are willing to fight for the wellbeing of their local environment.
Students and staff from the Truganina primary school are currently participating in ‘Habitat Heroes’, a council-funded project.
The aim of the program is to increase biodiversity and habitat values around schools, as well as teach students and teachers about Wyndham’s local native flora, fauna, and threatened ecosystems.
Twenty school groups have completed the program since it launched in Wyndham five years ago, and up to five schools per year can participate.
Through their gained knowledge, it is hoped that a stronger connection between students and the local environment will be built.
Traditionally, the program is delivered on residential properties for the purpose of providing skills, knowledge, and support for communities to improve biodiversity and habitat values on their private land.
Each participating school receives two incursion sessions delivered by NatureWest.
The first session looks into what defines a habitat and why it is important to protect it, while the second is a fauna audit of the school’s grounds and designing a habitat garden.
Typically run by the school’s leadership group, green team or a dedicated class group, the program is intended to provide the students with the capacity to transfer their knowledge across the schoolyard and wider community.
For those interested in joining the program, no experience is necessary– you just need an interest in gardening and in helping to protect local plants and animals.
More: www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/services/environment-sustainability/get-involved/habitat-heroes
